Usually, when you lift the engine cover on the butt end of a Volkswagen Type 3 you’re going to find a 1.5 or 1.6-liter flat four-cylinder engine. That’s not the case with this example I just found on good ole California Craigslist.
Someone stuffed a 4.3-liter Vortec V6 into the tail, and that’s a recipe for a fair bit more shove. In fact, it’s likely doubled the output over the original engine.
The seller states that the car sounds off through a set of Flowmaster exhaust, which in turn is a bit funny to hear of any VW wearing Flowmasters. The interior seems to be in relatively decent shape, but the ad goes on to state that the car needs a little TLC to make it “a sweet ride”.
With an asking price of $5,500 you can color me …curious. But the green paint certainly shows well in the photos. Having a VW Fastback that’s actually fast might be fun too.
[Source: Craiglist]
Fastback Friday: This '66 VW hides a fast secret in the back
By Jeff Glucker
Jul 6, 2018
By Jeff Glucker
Jeff Glucker is the co-founder and Executive Editor of Hooniverse.com. He’s often seen getting passed as he hustles a 1991 Mitsubishi Montero up the 405 Freeway. IG: @HooniverseJeff
Marcal Eilenstein
Where did they tuck the radiator?
Hopefully up front, where any amount of weight will help the steering.
I guess if that’s what you have laying around, that’s what you go with. As the former operator of a 4.3L V6 in a full sized pickup, my impression of the engine was that it moved the vehicle, but it was best not to think about it much.
Obviously a subjective thing, but the split pin crank 90 degree V6’s sound awful to my ear, Flowmasters would not make it better.
I had one in an old S10, my only memory is that it really liked gasoline
Brakes? Gearbox? Weight bias? Heater? What does “a little TLC” mean? Besides here is a nicer and cheaper squareback in the same area. https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/d/1971-vw-squareback-nice-and/6626375819.html
Yeah “a little TLC” could mean it needs major work. I’m betting it has the stock VW transaxle and stock brakes. In CA I’m betting it doesn’t have a heater. Of course the weight bias is bad if you want it to go around the corner but where this would shine is as a sleeper drag car. Of course you’d want to get rid of the Flowmasters if you don’t want to tip off your victim.
I used to have a 412, and I always thought about putting a modern flat six of some kind in there. Don’t think I would have thrown a water cooled V6 in it though. Even in stock form the front is too light. With that modification, it probably would push like crazy in any kind of a turn.
Does the 4.3 have the same bellhousing pattern as the Buick V6? They are a not-uncommon swap for Kombis/Buses/Transporters. Normally seen with a front-mounted radiator, sometimes external on a bull bar.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/96aafd89e877a7834b764a9ce96e3d9b26b86dc1dfeb35e9a399e082bd3663da.jpg
I doubt it. the 4.3L is known as 3/4 of a small block V-8. In my 2011 Silverado WT the 4.3L offers the fuel economy of a V-8 with the power of an I-4.
Of course. I was thinking of the capacity variants of the Buick engine that turn out to be from the very early days.
Now GM does offer a 4-cyl in the full size pickups I wonder how the cliche will evolve!
but…why? And why would you use a 4.3?
Because you have a 4.3L laying around, because whatever the 4.3L originally came in now has a proper 350 small block V-8.
waste not want not, you’re right